as in increased
being at a higher level than average
for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rose
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
as the war between the two countries escalated, it threatened to become a global conflict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerated
to make greater in size, amount, or number
the president promised to escalate the government's program to combat the dreaded disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalated
Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026
Tensions escalated in Minneapolis after a fatal shooting Wednesday during a federal immigration enforcement operation, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Tensions there have escalated after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
On Friday night, a protest outside a Minneapolis hotel that attracted about 1,000 people escalated as demonstrators threw ice, snow and rocks at officers, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said during a news conference Saturday.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Videos of those moments, captured by witnesses’ cellphones and posted to social media, show how the confrontation escalated into gunshots that left a mother dead behind the wheel.
—Frank Matt, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
A day after a federal immigration officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, the case escalated sharply when federal authorities blocked state investigators from accessing evidence and declared that Minnesota has no jurisdiction to investigate the killing.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
But things escalated when Jaramillo and a man involved in the crash, identified Saturday as Steven David Rustrian, 21, got into a fight that ended with Jaramillo being shot dead.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
While the decision by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights is not legally binding, experts say that, if the case is further escalated, a court will be required to consider the Institute’s findings.
—Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
One man is dead after an argument escalated into a shooting Sunday evening at an apartment complex in Kansas City’s East Swope Highlands neighborhood, a police spokesperson said.
—Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026
Tensions escalated in Minneapolis after a fatal shooting Wednesday during a federal immigration enforcement operation, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Tensions there have escalated after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
On Friday night, a protest outside a Minneapolis hotel that attracted about 1,000 people escalated as demonstrators threw ice, snow and rocks at officers, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said during a news conference Saturday.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Videos of those moments, captured by witnesses’ cellphones and posted to social media, show how the confrontation escalated into gunshots that left a mother dead behind the wheel.
—Frank Matt, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
A day after a federal immigration officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, the case escalated sharply when federal authorities blocked state investigators from accessing evidence and declared that Minnesota has no jurisdiction to investigate the killing.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
But things escalated when Jaramillo and a man involved in the crash, identified Saturday as Steven David Rustrian, 21, got into a fight that ended with Jaramillo being shot dead.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
While the decision by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights is not legally binding, experts say that, if the case is further escalated, a court will be required to consider the Institute’s findings.
—Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
However, there was no increased risk of liver problems, which is often a concern with statin use.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
30 Dec. 2025
-
In 1905 and growing in parishioners, the existing church created the Holly street location to accommodate its increased popularity.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Rizzi even rose to associate head coach for two years prior to leaving the Dolphins after the 2018 season.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Additionally, the December survey showed that respondents’ expectations of losing their job rose to the highest mean probability since April 2025, while the probability of those voluntarily quitting dropped to the lowest rate since July 2023.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The e-bike collided with the car, and the driver, who police said was startled by the collision, accelerated across the street, killing Ayden and injuring a 6-year-old girl, both of whom were with their family in front of the restaurant.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Initiatives led by Colombia and The Netherlands to advance a Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Conference show how progress can be accelerated without abandoning the annual United Nations climate summits.—
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim,
Time,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The onset of elevated inflation alongside sluggish hiring in recent months had put the Fed in a difficult position, even before the DOJ opened a probe into Powell.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Despite incredible progress to reduce the neural tube defects, Hispanic and Latino communities still have an elevated risk of developing these defects.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Wikipedia’s editor ranks swelled, the site codified guidelines such as prioritizing neutrality and flagging unsupported claims for removal, Ramjohn says.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
15 Jan. 2026
-
OpenAI has raised billions of dollars from venture capitalists, and its valuation has swelled to $500 billion.—
Ashley Capoot,Kate Rooney,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But its purpose has since expanded to tackle conflicts the world over, and the charter draft, which was sent along with the invitations to join, does not even reference Gaza.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Moreover, and perhaps more crucial to the reevaluation of the stock’s rating, Riot has significantly expanded its growth narrative beyond just cryptocurrency.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Never use your high-beam lights.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The team had started the season on a losing streak, and tensions were high.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The 2026 Golden Globes winners have boosted front-running contenders in an awards season already filled with Hollywood excellence.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
-
But this is a Martha Stewart production boosted by the expert medical insight of a top dermatologist.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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